The Tamil homeland conflict is a major problem that needs a solution. There may be several approaches to solving a problem. Devolution with its alternative vehicles like Federalism is the approach politicians have swiftly turned to. Like other Asian countries Sri Lanka has academics and experts in politics and law to draft a constitutional proposal for the purpose. Naturally such a document will be full of loopholes, flaws, ambiguities and controversies. These are generally resolved by parliamentary and public debates and protracted amendments.

On the above account, intimidated by the Tamil Tiger war and terrorism, in 1995 the government of Sri Lanka presented the proposed devolution solution. This proposal has since then been debated by successive parliamentary regimes and either been shelved or consigned to dustbin. It is a top down solution. The draft document consists of controversial implications on many aspects, alienation of the ownership of land by the unitary government and the authority over vast areas of coastal zone being just one or two.

This discourse proposes a bottom up solution.

Devolution

Intimidation by the LTTE for a separate state in the North and East has thus resulted in a devolution proposal for whole of the country with grave implications for a small island with inadequate financial, administrative, law and order, judiciary and development infrastructure, institutional resources of right calibre and structure at regional level. The island’s governance is already decentralised to Provincial Councils with Provincial Governors and Ministers in power and unitary power at the centre. The rest of the country does not need further devolution.

The Northern and Eastern provinces claimed by the Tamils as their homeland are the regions that need consideration for any measure of devolution. Intimidation by LTTE by war and terrorism itself is not a valid reason for devolution. The government should first consider the alleged grievances of the Tamil communities and how the devolution in the North and East will redress these grievances. Tamil people don’t live confined in the North and East. They live and work in cities and towns all over the country. Hence the devolution of power in the North and East does not solve the alleged racial problems of the Tamils who live and/or work in the rest of the country.

The top down proposal is superfluous to the needs of the nation. The proposal document does not address problems. War and the claimed separate homeland are the result and vision of whim, egotism and id of disenchanted Tamil faction. The devolution proposal seems to raise more uncertainty and doubt than to demonstrate potential to solve problems.

I would have thought devolution is ideal for self-sufficient societies. Isn’t it ironic to opt for political power and fragmented independence in order to solve the socio-economic debilitations without being self-sufficient in economic and development resources? Co-existence with limited devolution of provincial government and other supplementary measures can be foreseen as the safe compromise.

Priority for Sri Lanka is not continuous political tinkering seemingly heading towards tribalism spurred by a faction of terrorists. Economic development, development of skill resources, improving the quality of regional governance, management and workmanship cultures are priorities and solutions to the current problems.

Grievances

The solution in this proposal is based on ascertaining the rational grievances of Tamils and redressing those fairly and justly rather than pandering to whimsical wants such as a separate homeland of the Tamil militants. Alleged discrimination of Tamil people and lack of freedom are the notions of claim for a separate homeland. Examination of some pertinent statistics of employment, education, health care and economic infrastructure, makes allegation of discrimination bewildering. Neither, I am personally aware of obvious discrimination. The enigma of fallacious contention for devolution on the pretext of discrimination is, on that hypothesis how devolution in the North and East will will prevent discrimination of Tamils in the rest of the country. Apparently some 32 percent of the Tamil population before the conflict began and almost 50 percent since then live in rest of the country outside their homelands. There is some past evidence of sporadic unrest of Tamils in their homelands ascribed to dynamics of political reforms and ensuing racial violence in the country. These are historic records. The present violent disorder is caused by organised terrorists. The Tamil terrorists fight among each other, two factions in the North and East. Besides, Tamils are terrorised by the LTTE.

The language issue of learning Sinhalese and even higher education in English medium is controversial among Tamil communities. Sense of insecurity of Tamils in the Sinhalese areas was and still is a factor during the periods of violence perpetrated by Tamil terrorists. It has to be emphasised that Sinhalese have renounced retaliation to continuous violence perpetrated by Tamil terrorists against innocent civilians. We have to forgive our earthly fallibility, and strive to transcend egotistic myopia.

For reconciliation, by a process of consultation we must study the grievances, prioritise and give weight to different issues, and search for solutions in that order. The political panacea of empowering local people to conduct their affairs is not the lead vehicle of solving grievances particularly in this crisis. Neither politics itself is the means of redressing grievances. Politics only provide the framework, institutional infrastructure, law and order and leadership. Grievances are solved by taking appropriate action relevant to each issue. Pragmatically grievances can be solved only to the extend the imposing factors like economy and global impacts, language, education, management and administrative cultures, and the resources like water and technology allow and facilitate. We should respect humanity, value human skills and endeavours, and discern fancy sociological concepts.

Empowering or enabling is usually done by planning, rules, regulation and legislature. Empowerment by facilitation entails provision of training, skills, amenities, and infrastructure and like. Empowering without facilitation leads to socio-economic degradation and possibly unrest. Empowering entails responsibility which tends to be overlooked.

All are intimidated, the government, Tamils and part of the population, by the LTTE. Tamils need freedom, from LTTE.

The grievances ascribed to civil war and antiterrorism activities cannot be dealt in here. Though, there are numerous issues like child recruitment and impacts of collateral damage that have contaminated and embittered the minds of Tamil communities. Grievances common to all ethnicities in the island are also not addressed in here. However, current prevalent grievances attributed to war and terrorism will have to be addressed and dealt by a reconciliation regime.

Language

A grievance of the Tamils is the language issue which is a palpable disadvantage. The fact is Tamils who wish to live and/or work in Sinhalese areas of the country have to be proficient in Sinhalese to different levels for different jobs and for security. This was the norm in the era before the conflict and it is at present. Facilities to gain proficiency in Sinhalese for Tamils were provided by the government and also by social institutions. With regard to the language issue Sinhalese should be encouraged to gain proficiency in Tamil to different extends. On the pious assumption that normal peace, law and order will return to the island, Sinhalese to learn Tamil will be an obvious benefit for Sinhalese to work in Tamil regions and also for general harmony in rest of the country.

Sri Lankans in the modern times have realised that English is a universal language. Proficiency in English is important in this era of globalisation and economic migration. Obviously the importance of English language in scholarly, business and technological communications has been known throughout the times. To this end English is given better consideration in schools and also there is a trend of growing private sector establishments for the advancement of proficiency in English in Sri Lanka.

With regard to higher education, provincial universities have been established in the North and East serving the Tamil communities, in addition to the national universities.

Colonisation Schemes

Colonisation schemes are not a grievance of Tamils. Sinhalese farmers are the victims of massacres by LTTE. Tamils cannot lay claim to jungle in the boarder areas of the North and East. Their homeland is in the Tamil heartlands. The jungle is reserved for wildlife as National Parks or for farmers when it is legitimately disbursed. The idea that people already living in the area should be given priority in settlement schemes in a region is plausible if they meet the other eligibility criteria.

Peace

The universal etiquette is governments do not negotiate with terrorists. However there will be indirect negotiations for the sake of peace and to surmount impasse. This proposal suggests negotiations with elected political representation in a civilised manner to resolve grievances, consultation to ameliorate relations, trust and confidence of a normal civic life within a unitary nation. Indeed they will be of diverse mindsets and persuasions.

For this hypothetical scenario the Tamil Tiger rebels have to return to the ante conflict circumstances. This process will need to be aided by an army of civilian peace monitors. The solution to the ethnic crisis of war and terrorism is one of military and socio-political. Without effective military power there will be no incentive for peace. Peace is imperative to improve the administration. Climate of intimidation by LTTE is not conducive to implement amelioration measures of administration.

The peace makers should be genuine, realistic, understand human emotions and be able to communicate and negotiate effectively. Charisma, sincerity, honesty, tolerance, resolution, understanding of cultures and anxieties, and such qualities are conducive to win hearts and minds than legal, political morass and administrative cant.

On the pious assumption of Tamil rebels put down their weapons and some surrender or decommission of weapons takes place, some of the Muslims displaced from North and East could be resettled in these areas in acquiescence with the Tamil representatives. The Muslims could form a buffer zone between the Sinhalese farmers and Tamils.

International relations

International credibility for inward investment and finance is measured by political and economic stability, skilled human resources and the like. Fragmented units of local cultures attract less credibility of reputable major sources of global economic investment than the aid and investment under the auspices of the unitary government. Similarly international trade negotiations by unitary government will be more efficient. The unitary government could plan and direct economic development strategies in the so-called global market economy; though this does not imply an internal structure of Planned Economy. Indeed the provincial government could represent local interests during feasibility studies, implementation phases and in other aspects; and indeed inculcate their communities towards economic and civic advancement.

Status Quo

Dynamics are changing the status quo of the issues such as language, education, economics, and resources of human, land and water (energy and environment) fast, influenced by the global impacts or by domestic trends or by both. For most issues we shouldn’t be entrapped by conditions out of date to current trends, and should focus on dominant status quo for solving current problems for future. On the current topic we should not unduly wallow in history whether it is evocative or pestering more than it’s relevant to present and future goals.

Solution

This proposal is a bottom up solution built on pragmatics of life in a democratic society rather than misguiding concepts of power and politics. Two main substances are multiracial society and pluralistic culture. The theme of the discourse is consultation, flexibility, choice and compromise for living and working in the human society; not futile, rhetorical socio-political ideology.

Isn’t solving genuine human problems the imperative than the devolution of power. Demand for devolution is a symptom of ethnic egotism and id than an insight of Utopia. The politicians who are obsessed with devolution of power should identify the barriers they intend to resolve by devolution. It might be possible to resolve some of the issues under current legislation and governance. Some others may be accommodated in new legislation over a period of time. Some issues will be controversial matters that there will be no consensus among the Tamil communities.

If the honourable members of the parliament care to take a whiff of sea breeze and choose the stance for co-existence than conflict, and help the law abiding, peace loving, anxious Tamil communities to settle their problems and grievances amenably by parley and compromise, they will go down in the history as noblemen who saved the island from tsunamic malediction; not as perfidious plebeians.

The main political parties should foster alternative policies to devolution and represent the interests of Tamils for the common good and integrity of the nation. Tamils should politically integrate, not ethnically segregate.

Summary

The devolution proposal does not expound a long-term solution to ethnic crisis. It is a superfluous submission to the violent unrest of a militant faction of Tamils. On the pious imperative of LTTE will put down arms and return to normal law and order, resurgence for justice and fairness to Tamils can be availed by a process of consultation, flexibility, choice and compromise. The language issue has long been settled as far as practically feasible. There could more non-violent dynamics of language in the long-term. The ethnic crisis appears to be largely fuelled by trite, myopic, egotistic drive for devolved political power without any substantiation of deliberate injustice, and efficacy of such an accord to placate majority of Tamil people. The prevalent socio-political milieu poses serious concerns over the proposed devolution proposal on sustaining the security and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. For peace to dawn military deterrent of civil war is prerequisite.

Peace loving Tamils should urge their politicians to take the stance of co-existence and resolve their aspirations as forward looking Sri Lankans. First and foremost we need peace with LTTE. Besides, there is a moral force in lobbying the stance of politicians.

Arguments for separation are incoherent, flawed misconceptions. The potent counter argument is how does the devolution and separation in the North and East will solve the alleged racial problems in the rest of the country.

Anand Leo

Post subject: Arahath Mahinda Thera to King Tissa (BC 306)

Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 4:25 pm

Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:21 pmPosts: 50Location: UK

Arahath Mahinda Thera to King Tissa (BC 306)“O’ great King!The birds of the air and beasts on the earth have an equal right to live and move about in any part of this land as thou. The land belongs to the people and all other beings and thou art only the guardian of it.”

Anand Leo

Post subject: LTTE Occupation

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2007 5:22 pm

Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:21 pmPosts: 50Location: UK

LTTE Occupation

The sinister impact of LTTE is its formidable organisation entrenched for the unlawful occupation of some parts of the country, founded on ethnic cleansing of all other ethnic communities, and abuse of and terrorising peace loving Tamil communities in Sri Lanka. Fundamental transgression is their unlawful occupation hindering and barring the normal life, business and movement in the LTTE occupied areas. The strength and effect of LTTE transgression is based on the extreme militant faction of Tamil community as well as the unwitting sympathy and enticement of the moderate Tamils by the opportunistic well organised campaign of LTTE propaganda institution. Despondently the effective way of removing LTTE occupation is by means of military power.

There had been some grievances of Tamils in the past since independence. These effects have now been addressed democratically and institutionally as far as practicable under the present state of disorder imposed by the LTTE unlawful occupation. There are no grievances that can be resolved by LTTE terrorist occupation. The LTTE objectives are not based on grievances peculiar to Tamils, but egoistic, bigotry intentions of dividing the sovereign nation of Sri Lanka that will continue to cause evil to Tamils as well as other communities of Sri Lanka. Indeed there’s no consensus or unity among Tamils which is a cause of impeding the resolve by peace loving majority of Sri Lanka to bring a rational solution to the melancholic ominous ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka.

Anand Leo

Post subject: Prabhakaran's peace talks, a tactical ploy - Expert

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 5:01 pm

Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:21 pmPosts: 50Location: UK

Prabhakaran's peace talks, a tactical ploy - ExpertInternational counter-terrorism expert Gerard Chaliand told the 2007 International Conference on Countering Terrorism at the BMICH, that no peace is possible with the LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.

"Going by the way they used the peace talks to regroup themselves, it's just a tactical ploy," he said.

The former director of France's European Centre for the Study of Conflicts told delegates that Prabhakaran has transformed his group into a killing machine, assassinating anyone who challenges his authority as well as democratically elected leaders who represent the Tamils.

Chaliand said the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), led by their chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, remained one of the world's deadliest terror organisations.

All new recruits of the public service must pass the second language
efficiency test within five years for job confirmation.

Constitutional Affairs and National Integration Minister Dew Gunasekera
said that under the bilingulisation of the public service policy adopted
last year, public servants must have a working knowledge of Sinhala and
Tamil.

He said that the task of bilingulisation of the public service is expected
to be completed within five years.

A modern state-of-the-art Institute of Language Training will be set up
shortly in Agalawatta.

A series of language training programs including residential programs for
language trainers, translators and interpreters will be conducted at the
Language Training Institute, he said.

He said that a crash program to teach languages for public servants is
being implemented. This program comprises in-house training at the Bhasa
Mandiraya at Rajagiriya and special training sessions are being held at the
Departments, he said.

He said that 5,000 Sinhala medium public servants sat for the Tamil
efficiency tests and 1,775 Tamil medium government servants in the North
and the Eastern provinces sat for Sinhala efficiency tests in March last
year.

Commissioner, Department of Official Languages, S. Gunasena said that the
results of the All-Island Language Proficiency Test (AILPT) held last March
will be released in the second week of next month.

He said that the 2008 AILPT test will be held in September this year and
the details will be published in the national newspapers within a few
weeks.

Anand Leo

Post subject: Strengthen Democracy in North and East

Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2008 5:42 pm

Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:21 pmPosts: 50Location: UK

Sri Lanka ONLINE OBSERVER
Sunday 3 August 2008

Strengthen Democracy in North and East INDIAN PM TELLS TAMIL AND MUSLIM PARTIES:
by Ananth Palakidnar

Tamil and Muslim political parties from the North and the East briefed extensively the Indian Premier Dr. Manmohan Singh and his senior officials who are here in Colombo to attend the SAARC Summit on the ground realities in the North and the East and called upon India to help find an early political solution to the Lankan crisis.

The Indian leader stressed the need to strengthen and protect the democratic forces in the North and the East and expressed concern over the humanitarian issues in the North and the East”, Sitharthan said.

Canada’s Globe and Mail newspaper has highlighted an exhibition which it calls an eye-opener to some of the worst human rights abuses perpetrated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that zero in on “torture, child conscription and suicide bombings.”
In an article about the exhibition which has been funded by Canadian trade unions and organised by dissident Tamils who do not belong to the banned terrorist organisation, the LTTE, the Globe and Mail said, “The ordeal of a Canadian Tamil who says he survived torture at the hands of the Tamil Tigers will be among the shocking stories delved into this weekend, when artists and activists hope to expose the full range of human-rights abuses perpetrated in Sri Lanka.”
“Organisers of the Call of the Conscience exhibit hope,” said the Globe and Mail, “their photos, films and written words will be an eye-opener for Toronto, the largest centre of Tamils outside Sri Lanka.” The exhibition features a written life story of a 50-year-old man called Samaran (a fictitious name) who has been interviewed by the newspaper.
Quoting him The Globe and Mail said, “At the time, the rebels were solidifying their hold on northern Sri Lanka and ridding the area of suspected government collaborators and rival rebel factions.
“They beat me till I fainted just for wearing a rosary,” recalled Samaran, a Christian from an area that’s mostly Hindu. He says a young rebel guard told him “Here, I am the God - you tell the truth, you get released” - but he could only respond that he had no information to give.
“Hundreds of those he was jailed with were tortured, he said, and many were killed. Then, in a turn of events that proved less fortunate for other prisoners, he said, he escaped when Sri Lankan military planes bombed the jail.”

Anand Leo

Post subject: Ceasefire

Posted: Sun Nov 23, 2008 5:57 pm

Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:21 pmPosts: 50Location: UK

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/11/23/sec02.asp

In the backdrop of the Security Forces inflicting heavy damage on the LTTE in the Wanni, Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare and Defence Media Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella has reiterated that there won’t be a ceasefire at this juncture with the LTTE, until the outfit totally disarms itself and enters the political mainstream decently.

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/11/23/pol01.asp

Ethnic based enclaves which the minority political parties have sought as units of devolution were not acceptable as a matter of principle, said Prof.Wiswa Warnapala.

Anand Leo

Post subject: Prabhakaran should be brought to justice…

Posted: Sun Dec 07, 2008 5:57 pm

Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:21 pmPosts: 50Location: UK

http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/12/07/new19.asp

Observer Online
Sunday 7 December 2008

by Walter JAYAWARDHANA

Prabhakaran should be brought to justice…

Writing why Prabhakaran should be brought to justice, Paul Harris wrote, “Whatever justification there might have been for the demand for “Eelam” has been completely removed by the depraved conduct of the Tiger leadership. Operating a rigid totalitarian system of which Stalin would have been proud, the Tigers have systematically hunted down and assassinated prominent Tamils who supported a united, multi-ethnic Sri Lanka. Well before al-Qaeda popularised the suicide bomb, this form of terrorism was pioneered by the Tigers, who have also made extensive use of child soldiers and of child suicide bombers. Prabhakaran is said to personally choose boys aged 14 to 16 for recruitment to the “Black Tigers” suicide bomb squads.”

The biggest ever Naval blockade has been thrown along the Northern and Eastern coastal areas, placing the Naval installations countrywide on red alert to trap the LTTE top rungers fleeing the island and also from thwarting any assistance they might receive through the seas.
“The barricade consists of around twenty five Naval vessels including off shore patrol craft and fast gun boats supported by Special Boat Squadron and the Rapid Action Squadron which could be described as the biggest blockade created so far in the Naval history of the island.”

From Wall Street Journal Asia

This week, the Sri Lankan army said it had captured the last piece of the northern Jaffna Peninsula, one of the few remaining strongholds of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, a terrorist organization that has waged a 26-year civil war that’s claimed tens of thousands of lives, including those of a Sri Lankan President and an Indian Prime Minister.

That’s a huge turnaround from only three years ago, when the Tigers effectively controlled the bulk of the Northern and Eastern Provinces and were perpetrating suicide bombings in the country’s capital, Colombo. Credit goes to the government of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who has made eliminating the Tigers a priority and invested resources to make it happen. Military spending has surged to $1.7 billion for fiscal 2009, roughly 5% of GDP and nearly 20% of the government’s budget. The expanded Sri Lankan army is now equipped to employ sophisticated counterinsurgency strategies - such as a multifront attack and quick raids behind Tiger lines. In 2007, the army won its first significant victory by pacifying the Tamil-Muslim-majority Eastern Province, historically a Tiger stronghold. Local and provincial elections were held there last year. The military offensive will now turn to Mullaittivu, the last district controlled by the Tigers in the Northern Province.

This string of victories is a shock to those who thought this conflict, which has political origins, could have only a political solution. The violence started in 1983, ostensibly over Tamil grievances with a Sinhalese-majority government that made Sinhala the country’s official language and doled out economic favours to the Sinhalese, who are Buddhist, including preferences for government jobs and schooling. Devolution of power to the provinces has long been floated as the best political fix.

But the Tigers always had other ideas. To wit: They wanted the Tamil homeland to be an independent state with the Tigers at its head. Like other terrorist outfits, the Tigers never accepted the legitimacy of any other group to speak on behalf of their supposed constituents. They were unwilling to accept any negotiated settlement that wouldn’t entrench their own power.

That’s why earlier efforts to negotiate away Sri Lanka’s terror problem failed. In 1987, then-President Junius Jayewardene offered the Tamils a homeland in the north and east that would have given them wide powers, although not a separate state. In the 1990s, another President, Chandrika Kumaratunga, offered another devolution plan. The Tigers refused both offers and the terrorism continued.

In 2002, Norway orchestrated a peace process that resulted in a cease-fire. This time, the Tigers themselves concocted a proposal for a form of regional autonomy in Tamil areas, and the government agreed in principle. Then the Tigers nixed their own deal, betting they could do better with violence after all. They spent the next four years violating the cease-fire.

Repeated negotiations made a settlement harder to achieve. The Tigers gladly murdered moderate Tamil leaders open to genuine negotiations with Colombo. The European Union dithered on declaring the Tigers a terrorist group for the sake of encouraging the peace process, hindering efforts to cut off funding and allowing the killing to continue.

Meanwhile, occasional efforts to subdue the Tigers by force failed through lack of political will or because of outside interference. In 1987, Mr. Jayewardene gained ground in the north, only to be undermined by Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who airlifted food to the militants to curry favour with his country’s own Tamil population. Then the Indians changed tack, and an Indian peacekeeping force managed to quell the Tiger insurgency for a time between 1987 and 1989. But that operation was derided as a “quagmire” by some Indian politicians. The force was withdrawn prematurely in 1990. Another Sri Lankan military effort, begun in 1995, collapsed in 2000 due to insufficient troop numbers and political meddling in military decision-making.

Mr. Rajapaksa appears to have learned from all this, which is why he has insisted on military victory before implementing a political solution. It helps that India has stayed out this time around and other countries - including the EU - are now tracking and thwarting Tiger financing.

Peace still will not be easy or, despite recent good news, immediate. The Tigers may still be able to carry out some terror attacks, though they no longer pose a wide-scale threat. And Colombo faces questions about its commitment to a permanent political settlement. It has taken some steps, such as a 1987 constitutional amendment again making Tamil an official language, and in 2006 it convened an all-party conference to recommend further pro-devolution constitutional changes. It is dragging its feet on implementing other constitutional measures that would pave the way for devolution. But a political settlement is something to discuss after the Tigers have been subdued.

Anand Leo

Post subject: Tigers Breach Dam

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 5:43 pm

Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:21 pmPosts: 50Location: UK

Sunday, 25 January 2009
observer ONLINE

Tigers breach Kalmadukulam Tank

by Shanika SRIYANANDA

The LTTE had blasted the Kalmadukulam Tank bund causing heavy floods in Ramanathapuram, Dharmapuram and Vishwamadu, yesterday morning as a last resort to block the troops, advancing towards Mullaitivu.

The military sources in Mullaitivu confirmed that the blast had breached the massive tank, which supplies water to over 500 acres in the area.

Kalmadukulam tank which extent to an area of five square km, is the second largest reservoir in the Kilinochchi region. It was at spill level due to the recent north east monsoon.

Informed sources also said that the LTTE had damaged the tank to prevent civilians from fleeing into safer areas.

Anand Leo

Post subject: Mass exodus from Mullaitivu

Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 5:50 pm

Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:21 pmPosts: 50Location: UK

Sunday 8 February 2009
OBSERVER ONLINE
Tigers attack fleeing civilians** Nearly 6000 civilians cross over on a single day
by Shanika SRIYANANDA
As the LTTE domination in the North is shrinking into a mere 96 square km, over 5,593 civilians, who were kept as hostages by the LTTE terrorists have crossed over to liberated areas from the Suthandrapuram and Puthukudiyirippu in Mullaitivu amidst heavy beating and shooting by the LTTE, during the last 48 hours.

Plans afoot to send civilians to villages

Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa, MP visited the Menikfarm Welfare Camp at Settikulam, Vavuniya on Friday accompanied by a team of Ministers, Parliamentarians and officials to personally look into the facilities provided to innocent Tamil civilians arriving in Government controlled areas after escaping from LTTE clutches.

The process of resettlement and rehabilitation of civilians fleeing the LTTE areas will focus towards making their emotional, social and economic positions more secure with a four-stage plan to ensure that they were resettled in their original villages and towns at least by April this year, Senior Presidential Advisor and parliamentarian Basil Rajapaksa said when he briefed the Secretaries of Ministries, on Thursday.

The two suicide air attacks in Colombo targeting the Sri Lanka Air Force headquarters and the Katunayake air base were total failures due to the well established Air Defence System of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), the SLAF Chief, Air Marshal Roshan Goonatilake said.

The Army which is in the final phase of the rescue operation took control of the entire eastern coastal area when the 58 and 59 Division Troops linked up together depriving the LTTE of the coastal belt yesterday. The 58 Division marching from the north linked up with 59 Division troops who were forging ahead northbound in the New Safe Zone yesterday morning. Accordingly, troops of the 11 Gemunu Watch in 59 Division and 11 Sri Lanka Light Infantry in 58 Division have taken control of the entire Mullaitivu costal belt. Meanwhile over 10,000 civilians, also made use of the newly opened ‘escape route’ via the Nanthi Kadal lagoon in the past 24 hours, braving the LTTE’s indiscriminate firing in the Vadduvakkal area as civilians began to flee. Those who escaped in different batches on tyre tubes and boats faced many dangers on the way. The Army troops after providing medical aid and light meals took them to the nearest IDP centres. Two hundred and forty one LTTE cadres have surrendered to the Security Forces during the past two days.

Anand Leo

Post subject: Re: Ethnic Conflict: a Bottom up Solution

Posted: Sun May 17, 2009 5:21 pm

Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:21 pmPosts: 50Location: UK

BRAVO!

What the Sri Lanka army has surmounted is a formidable challenge that plagued the country for three decades. Bravo!

The Sri Lanka military has prepared the ground for civilian administration and democracy to germinate in the Tamil homeland.

The occasion to celebrate the achievement indeed.

However, the action to restore the freedom of movement, law and order, and civic normality under the democratic government of sovereign sate of Sri Lanka, and indeed the rehabilitation of displaced, devastated Tamil population must follow through to demonstrate the peace, justice, prowess, and prosperity of Sri Lanka.

Protests against LTTE proxies in UKhttp://www.sundayobserver.lk/2010/12/05/sec01.aspThe people of Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Oddusdan participated in a massive demonstration yesterday against LTTE elements in the UK who orchestrated anti-Sri Lanka protests in London earlier this week.

Anand Leo

Post subject: Ethnic Conflict: a Bottom up Solution

Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 3:30 pm

Joined: Mon Jun 19, 2006 3:21 pmPosts: 50Location: UK

Freeing Sri Lanka from the brutal terrorism, ethnic cleansing and occupation of North and East of the island by ferocious Tamil Tigers is a momentous historic feat. However, decimation of unarmed civilians and surrendered Tiger combatants was vice versa a brutal botch operation.

Last edited by Anand Leo on Mon May 16, 2016 3:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.